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Concentration to work

CherpieusSenior Contributor19 Oct 2015, 3:03 pm AEDT

Concentration to work

I need to tell someone that I am really struggling to do my job so I'm telling 'you' the Sane Community. I'm trying to hide it from my employer and so far so good. Every time I try to start working I do whatever I can to avoid it. At the moment I'm writing on here.

I'm in the process of changing medication but as most of you know this can take weeks or even months. When I'm in bed at night or when I wake up in the morning I'm motivated and ready to work, but as soon as I sit down at my computer I do anything but work. I know this is going to catch up with me sooner or later and I'm fearful about that but I don't know how to improve my concentration.

I am usually a list writer and love ticking things off a list, but at the moment I can't even concentrate enough to write a list! This is a real indicator for me something is seriously wrong.

6 replies

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In response to: Concentration to work

Unknown userMember19 Oct 2015, 4:59 pm AEDT

Re: Concentration to work

Hi @Cherpieus
I'm in a similar position.. With the concentration I mean... I'm not working 🙂
I fold like three items of clothing before I wander off! I'm realising my best talents maybe avoidance and procrastination.

I found when i was struggling at work that I'd choose one goal for the day... And try to make sure that happened. If things are really getting difficult though a heads up to your boss or manager may make things easier in the long run. They may be able to lessen your load or you could ask for some more frequent breaks? I'm not sure but you might be able to think of some things that might help.., also could it be w side effect of the new meds? Would it b worth talking to the dr who prescribed them? My psych keeps telling me to try and get out for exercise as often as I can to boost well everything from concentration to energy to lessen my anxiety and maybe help me to have some appetite.
If any or all of this is useless feel free to ignore with a smile 😎
Lj

In response to: Concentration to work

Unknown userMember19 Oct 2015, 5:10 pm AEDT

Re: Concentration to work

Hi @Cherpieus

Thank you for confiding I hope it helped to get it off your chest. I am a huge procrastinator so can certainly relate to what you’re saying about finding other things to do. Did you manage to get a bit done in the end today?

@Snuffles and @SallyFlamingo have both mentioned changing medication recently. You might like to check out @sallyflamingo’s thread here. Please feel free to share any insights from your own experience, @Snuffles and @SallyFlamingo

In response to: Concentration to work

Tim_HSenior Contributor19 Oct 2015, 5:24 pm AEDT

Re: Concentration to work

Hey Cherpieus,

I've had this issue for many years now. I have OCD that involves constant obsessive thoughts making it hard to concentrate. Normally I just do my best, only telling manager's when they ask why I'm struggling.

My advice would be to tell your manager about the medication change etc. You have every right to some support and understanding. I wish I had spoken up earlier instead of suffering in silence.

Good luck.

In response to: Concentration to work

SnufflesContributor19 Oct 2015, 6:35 pm AEDT

Re: Concentration to work

I can relate to what you're saying, although I'm unmotivated all day. Work is a such a struggle. Everything seems like an overwhelming enormous effort. If you find anything that helps let me know!

In response to: Concentration to work

MazaritaSenior Contributor19 Oct 2015, 10:03 pm AEDT

Re: Concentration to work

Hi @Cherpieus,

So sorry you are struggling with this. It varies between individuals but my experience with medications is that they can sometimes bring on improvement more quickly than months or weeks. There's even been changes for me within the first week of starting. But the first week is also for me the most intense with side effects which have often become less as time goes by. As @Former-Member suggested, it's possible your inability to concentrate is related to side effects. In earlier posts you mentioned that it was fairly recently that you saw your psychiatrist. I'm hoping that you start to notice some improvement very soon.

In response to: Re: Concentration to work

CherpieusSenior Contributor20 Oct 2015, 11:02 am AEDT

Re: Concentration to work

Thanks everyone for your comments and understanding.

Exercise is one thing I really need to work on doing. Seems I procrastinate about that too as well as work :).

I did tell my boss a few months ago about changing meds and he has been very patient. I just don't feel like I can ask for any more leeway. I was working from home 2 days a week for a few months but a couple of weeks ago my boss said he wanted me to reduce this to 1 day a week.

Actually just being able to share with you guys yesterday has helped my motivation and concentration yesterday afternoon and today so thank you.

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